Unai Emery has challenged Aston Villa’s owners to continue supporting the club’s rapid growth as he looks to build a squad capable of competing for the Premier League title following their Europa League triumph.

Villa’s victory in Istanbul secured the club’s first European trophy in 44 years and added another chapter to Emery’s remarkable record in the competition, having previously won the Europa League four times with Sevilla and Villarreal.

The success also guarantees Aston Villa a place in next season’s Champions League, marking another major step forward under Emery’s leadership.

Despite the celebrations, the Spaniard made it clear that maintaining progress will require continued investment and ambition from those running the club.

“I am ambitious myself and of course I need support,” Emery said after the final.

“The owners, everyone who works at the club, development is everything.”

“The players are following us and we are doing it together. But we have to keep setting this ambition while being realistic and improving as a team. This is our next step.”

Emery Wants Villa to Compete at the Highest Level

The Villa manager acknowledged the scale of the challenge facing the club next season, particularly with the demands of competing in both the Premier League and Champions League.

“We are getting stronger, but we are trying to be demanding,” Emery explained.

“Next year we will play in the Champions League and the Premier League is the most difficult league in the world. That is the challenge.”

Villa’s performance in the Europa League final highlighted the progress made under Emery, with the Premier League side producing a dominant display to comfortably defeat Freiburg in Istanbul.

Now, after delivering his first trophy since arriving at Villa Park, Emery is determined to ensure the club continues building rather than waiting decades for another major success.

Villa Continuing to Expand Their Project

Emery also pointed to the wider improvements being made across the club as part of Aston Villa’s long-term development strategy.

“The club is working to expand the stadium by another 10,000 seats,” he said.

“We are also making changes to the training centre.”

“We are trying to be demanding inside the club as well. We have played in the Conference League, Europa League and now we will be in the Champions League again next season.”

The Spaniard stressed the importance of maintaining high standards both on and off the pitch if Villa are to continue progressing among Europe’s elite.

“It makes sense how we are developing with the players and extending contracts,” Emery added.

“But it is important that we remain very demanding in our process and in our project.”

“The project only has value if we continue winning and achieving our objectives during that process.”

Emery Targeting Premier League Title Challenge

Following Villa’s recent rise, Emery was also asked whether his side could eventually challenge clubs such as Manchester City and Arsenal for the Premier League title.

The former Sevilla and Villarreal manager admitted that competing near the top of English football remains extremely difficult but believes Villa can continue closing the gap.

“The Premier League is the hardest league in the world,” he said.

“To compete for the top seven, top five or top four is already very difficult. Hopefully we can get closer to teams like Manchester City and Arsenal.”

Emery Praises Players After Historic Success

Despite his extraordinary record in European competition, Emery was eager to credit his players for Villa’s latest triumph.

“Every time I have been successful in this competition, I needed good players,” he explained.

“I am very thankful to these players because they are following our ambitions.”

“They are the protagonists on the pitch. That is why I do not feel like the king of this competition. We are the kings together.”

Emery also reflected on the significance of ending Villa’s long wait for another European trophy.

“Since winning the European Cup in 1982, the supporters were missing another trophy,” he said.

“To achieve this makes us all so happy, but we are not going to stop here.”